As we look at church history, especially in the lives of many Christian saints throughout time, one key theme runs through it all. From the first century Christians to modern China, that theme is suffering. Oswald Chambers wrote, “You cannot help suffering; it is a true and needful training for the soul that dares to be true to God.” Suffering is an essential aspect of our Christian growth, whether it is mental, physical, financial, or spiritual. It is the main connection that enables the batteries to power us to be the best Christian possible. It is the link between the Holy Spirit and God’s perfect plan working in us. Without this vital connection, the power source of our Lord will not be able to prime us for His service. We may have the ability and the power of the Spirit, but the vital link between them is missing. A spark of truth and service may pass between them so we think we are working and doing fine. But there can be so much more! So when that connection is firmly in place, the power will flow the most, so our walk in Him becomes our best. That is why we are encouraged in the Word to hold on tight and be tough to the end. In other words perseverance is knowing that our future is in His Hands, in His control and whatever the consequences we may face, we are to look to the rewards to come. Our hope and purpose is to be with Christ in eternity everlasting.
The path into following God’s will is not always an easy path; it is a path filled with potholes and highwaymen. Yet the modern church considers suffering negative, because it does not line up with happiness, peace, and joy. Some even teach that suffering is a sign that you are out of God's will and have unredeemed sin. However, this is not Biblical. It is a difficult journey but take heart; our sufferings are very temporary in the scheme of our eternal existence. Check out John 16;33; Romans 8:18 and I Peter 4:19.
Why, why, why we ask! Yet, it is not so much a question of how we answer the problem of suffering, the why it has happened to me. It is not about how we can get an answer, seeking the ‘why’ from God, the why this has happened to me. The why is not important as Job found out. Rather it is about how we live our lives regardless of our circumstances. God understands that even though we may have buried a loved one, we cannot bury our feelings. We need time to morn and vent—and even inventing ways of coping with the loss in our lives. (Hence why there are so many conflicting theories in psychology!) God records in His Word that people in biblical days were in no hurry to rush through the process of grief. But, they did eventually get on with their lives! "a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build", (Ecc. 3:3). The ‘why’ is not the solo quest we are to seek. ‘Why’ is not the place we are to live our lives and concentrate our devotions too. By dwelling on the ‘Why’ will keep us away from learning, takes our eyes of Him, it even interferes in His healing grace, because we are so full of ‘whys’ there is no room for Christ!
Remain faithful and enjoy the ride of life even when you hit a pothole and bump your head. Suffering has 5 main themes to it: 1. Our God is good, thus our pain allows us to identify with our Lord who suffered for our sin's in our place without fault or being deserving of the suffering. So why should we expect better? It draws us closer and more intimate. God will actually enter into the pain with us, so if there is no healing, He is just working harder in us! 2. God will use our suffering for the greater good, that is His purpose. Consider it fertilizer to the garden of life. It will allow us to grow in greater depth spiritually, when we give it to God through prayer, as Paul did. 3. Remember God is working even when we do not feel it! The chief purpose of God's will for us is to grow us closer to Him! Not our bodies, or work, or anything else! This will perfect our charter to be more Christ like. 4. Suffering is not being a martyr; rather it is value for our living as we lean to surrender all to Him. Never force suffering on yourself for attention, this does not glorify God, only yourself! 5. When we are filled with joy, even in the mist of suffering, we show the world the mirror and character of and to Christ. The main theme of suffering is not how we answer the way's and why's, but how we live our lives to still give God the glory! How do we allow Him to use us and then take our experiences for the benefit of others, such as people like "Joni Erickson Tada"! Some comforting verses: Psalm 31:9; Psalm 119:50; Isaiah 41:10; Rom 8:18; 28-29; 35-37; James 1:2-3;12; John 14:1; I Pet 4:12-19 ; Rev. 21:4!
“The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service.”
T.J. Bach